2013 Kentucky Derby Odds: Sleepers with Best Shot at Churchill Downs

You might not think twice about betting on horse racing during 364 days of the year. But Saturday's 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is a solid exception to that rule for scores of Americans looking to get lucky.

Are you up-to-date on the latest odds and predictions? The Derby draws an uncharacteristically high number of casual fans and bettors. As a result, favorites are oftentimes exaggerated the closer and closer we get until post time.

It’s important to know the odds, but don’t let them do all of your homework for you. Look deeper into the trainers and jockeys who will be manning each mount. After all, anything can happen on the track, and favorites don’t always live up to their pre-race billing.

Below you’ll find updated live betting odds for Saturday’s race. Also, take a look at a couple predictions for horses that have a good chance to shock us all and pay bettors handsomely.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has engineered two long-shot winners at the Derby (1995 and ’99) and four wins overall. Will Take Charge, jockeyed by Jon Court, would be another such long shot for the Hall of Fame trainer who boasts 13 Triple Crown wins.

The horse got a rest, skipping the Arkansas Derby after winning the Rebel Stakes in March. Still, he hasn’t had much favor from oddsmakers and is a true sleeper here at Churchill Downs.

Oxbow (24-1)

Oxbow, also trained by Lukas, might have failed to live up to expectations until this point, but there’s no better time for a horse to blossom than at Churchill Downs.

That potential could finally be realized thanks to the riding efforts of three-time Derby-winning jockey Garry Stevens. Interestingly, two of his three wins at Churchill Downs came while riding horses trained by Lukas.

Java’s War (25-1)

If there is any horse in this 20-colt field that can surprise us all, it’s Julien Leparoux’s mount, Java’s War. The 3-year-old has shown a pension for drama, coming from last place multiple times to either win or challenge the eventual winner.

Java’s War also has a bit of a rivalry brewing with Verrazano, one of the race’s favorites. He finished second to the favorite after climbing back from ninth place at the Tampa Bay Derby.

Starting at post No. 19, he’ll have an early edge to the outside that should allow him to avoid entanglement and allow for another late and exciting surge.